jmcrochny

Came in from out of town - loved your venue Scranton. Nice old hall. As for the lighting design (except for the acoustic set) - not so much. I'd like to see all the guys more clearly more often. That complaint aside - good show. Nice mix. Seen Shot In The Arm many times. That was a powerful presentation. The nod they're giving to Chilton is heartwarming. Probably the most powerful presentation his material has ever received.

You point is well taken. I used to see them 2 or 3 times a year. Now I limit myself to once or so. It was hard for me to come to the realization that sets were not designed with only me in mind.

I guess I've decided that JT does a pretty good job of balancing two road band imperatives - those being

1) giving the crowd what many of them want ("hits") while

2) tweaking the sets some to maintain their own sanity by offering themselves artistic challenge, and trying to satisfy the Tweeks (Tweedy geeks) like me (and you I guess).

He might not know it, but Jeff and I have reached an accommodation which is workable for both of us.

I'm very curious -- and would love some input -- as to why the boys choose to basically play 75-80% of the exact same set every night. I guess I don't understand what would be inspiring or exciting about doing this night in and night out? They are clearly capable of playing every song in their canon, but they pretty much play the same, exact songs they played on the summer tour, the fall/winter tour, etc. I mean, really, when you return to cities in which you've already played the same songs as last time out, why would you not want to mix things up a bit. Enough already with the Incredible Germany/California Stars duo and the Walken/Hate it Here... I mean, I love these songs, but let's bring together some new combos! Just had to vent a bit... as I am gong to see them consecutive nights in Montclair, NJ next weekend and I'm afraid they're going to be doing basically the same setlist both nights. I'm super excited about these shows and especially the acoustic sets... but just cross my fingers for some real variety in the electric sets...

 

Thoughts on this?

1) I'm guessing Conor and the boys visited Niagara Falls. Those caps are all over the souvenir shops there.

2) I'm really looking forward to future shows as the new material separates from the studio versions and the songs evolve into more organic live forms. I'm glad they have incorporated so many tunes from the new album into the set.

3) Peculiar crowd. Pretty quiet until very late in the show (at Misunderstood maybe?) - then they erupted.

4) Note from (me) one of the chief "Twerds" (Tweedy nerds - I just made that up) - while all Wilco shows are of very high quality, for me this show ranks in the middle of my Wilco pack. #1 for me (of my 10 or so) remains Charlottesville, Va., Oct '07.

I'm so freaking pumped, besides Buffalo and NYC every Wilco show I've ever seen has been out of state VT, PA, MI, MA, CT, now they are at my back door! The Aud is a great place, saw Dylan there in 1994, and Ratdog at some point. Forget everything else you hear and just go to the Dino BBQ to get your grub on!

"Roger that" - twice. Once - for the '94 Dylan show there. Seen Bob many times. That was a very special show - the best I saw in the years between The Band and the Campbell/Sexton ensemble.

Second - for the Dinosaur BBQ. Real good vitles - and way north of the Mason/Dixon Line. If you like your bbq a little sweeter, try Sticky Lips on Culver Road. For the veggies - Aladdin's or Mamasan's (Vietnamese) (they're both on Monroe Ave., a few miles apart, both 10-15 min. from the Aud)

better hustle all - for good seats (though i have come over the years to prefer standing venues, the crowd vibe is way better). got tickets just now. they're already back to row p (for singles) in the center and row o on the sides for doubles or more. the venue is perfect for them i think. way better than the megabarns they're playing with neil. i just couldn't face toronto.

Awesome! Thanks Craig

Have been reliving the concert a lot lately - thanks to you. Good job.

Memo to the "WOOOO-WOOOO" gang - shut the fuck up.

The problem of course is Wilco doesn't have a lot of uptempo new songs and have a pretty anemic sounding rhythm section

ouch - gotta differ there esp. w/regard to Kotche - he's killer to my ears...

Hey man, I would never block a sitters view with my big old butt. I always look for a good spot to have my little party without botherin nobody.

 

gracias - peace. out.

not to get into a pissing contest but, i saw the seeger tour in cleveland and was so surprised as to its infectiousness, i also went saratoga. at both places, the admitedly syncophantic, adoring crowd had no problem getting with the program. the seeger disc left me a bit cold, but the live presentation is totally engaging.

Great first post. I have to agree, by and large, with most of what you say but in response to above, yes he does/have, and he did it regularly on the "Seeger" tour.

 

Last time I went to Massey Hall and stood up for a Wilco show (how I got to be the mook), Jeff ended up holding a "standing/sitting" vote and sitting won so maybe that had something to do with it too.

 

It will be interesting to see what Ottawa Bluesfest holds. By the time he comes on Saturday night, the place will be packed with the least reserved audience he will have seen in a long time (ie drunken louts). I have seriously mixed feelings about this.....

never, ever stay in a seat? ooh lordy, please don't be in front of me - for both our sakes...

Just got back from my Wilco tour to Toronto and London so my post is late. Have to agree with the Tweed and others who posted - lack of energy in Toronto made for a saggy show till Jeff called out the crowd in the best Chicago tradition. I for one never ever stay in a seat. We where at the top of the house rockin above the last row. In London we were at the stage. Great venue. Great crowd. Memorable show.

Canadian politeness? Its refreshing and unnerving at the same time. I think I heard one horn blow the whole time I was in Toronto, and they were blowing at me for jaywalking! In London the city seemed , well... closed or something, even though there was a big fest going on, a bit too quiet for a city with nothing to hide. I did waste an hour at the Bad Temper bar talking to a guy who just got out of jail for a domestic infraction so I guess there is at least one Canadian whos' not too polite.

 

Also, wonderful farm country between London and Fort Erie, think I'll move there.

the new song was a fine opener and led nicely into "... break your heart"

however - open letter to tweedy -

i'm a yank seeing the band for the third time in a year. i too found the crowd a bit reserved, was briefly amused at your scolding of the audience, but ultimately found your remarks condescending, even contemptuous. hey jeffrey! if you find the crowd lacking in enthusiasm, look to yourself first. you walk out, interacting with no one, either on stage or off playing 6 or so songs without so much as a nod to the audience. what's your job anyway? show up and plug in? then the audience is supposed to bow down and worship? get over yourself, work up a sweat and earn the enthusiasm. that's why you're getting the big bucks. think springsteen has ever had to insult a crowd into activity? you do your job and the crowd reaction will take care of itself. remember jeffrey, you're the guy who told an audience member on kicking television "now be quiet".

lastly jeffrey, while you're working up some respect for your audience - don't ever apologize for playing new material. IF i pay for future concerts and i keep hearing the same stuff done in the same old way, then you're a nostalgia act and i'll quit coming. for now though, you're the greatest.